Yeah, I like sandhill cranes too. Many of them summer up here-a very common site. Quite the courtship dance/ritual. If ever you get a chance to see it, quite a show.

I never see them on my property which is heavily wooded, they must like to be where they can see far distances. But right down from me is plenty of pastureland where I see them all the time. I love them, too, but I hate that they are always feeding by the busy highways, I cringe when they try to cross with the cars going so fast.

Yes, they are pretty fearless on the roads, but I haven't seen one as roadkill yet. They can take off almost like helicopters, almost straight up! Noisy critters, though. At least the herons and ibises are quiet. I did see one lesser blue heron here last year, but I do really miss my Great Blue herons and especially the storks.

One thing I find amusing about the sandhills is their prehistoric-sounding squawks and schreeks...always remind me of what I imagine pterodactyls to have sounded like...which is probably not so far off, considering it is now believed that birds are direct descendants of dinosaurs!

One time, at the end of the big fishing pier on Fort Myers beach, I learned that great blue herons are incredibly bossy, dominating birds. So, the guys fishing started to clean their catch towards day's end, and all the pelicans, etc. knew this was coming. They were all over that business, until a great blue showed up and promptly shooed them all away. There was no contest. Now, we've got great blue heron up here too, but I never saw that particular behavior until the day noted. Pretty impressive.

wisconsitom, if you had ever seen a Great Blue spear a fish, you'd know why the other birds are afraid of them. Those beaks are lethal. I can believe the part about dinosaurs, because sandhills actually have raptor-like claws.

Hi

Speaking of Cranes anybody know what happened to the attempt to bring back Whooping cranes to Florida?? Last I heard they were using an ultralight aircraft to guide them on migration Think the plan failed but haven't heard a thing ?? Whoopers are still on the endangered list ?? gary

This is all I could find

http://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/birds/whooping-crane/information/

Hi

Thanks for that info on the Whoopers . Sounds like they are still in serious trouble I remember seeing them during migration in Kansas many years ago .

They were so impressive due to the size and the sharp white color and of course that increble noise they make lol Thanks again gary

That too is a Wisconsin tie-in. The group flying the ultralight, the whole deal, are all Wisconsin folks.

Sometimes, problems hit you from unexpected directions. So, they had the whooping cranes staying at one of our numerous giant wetland game preserves up here, and everything seemed like it should be good. But some species of biting fly has had a population explosion at that very wetland complex, making life impossible for the cranes. So they had to move their base of operations. Then a major funding crisis with the flying thing....lots of issues, to say the least.

It is interesting though, how very, very many migrating wildlife species go back and forth between Florida and Wisconsin! I tell folks when I'm down there that the two states are a lot alike. Mostly blank stares-these people can't imagine what I could be talking about...but it's true-tons of water, lots of wild lands (even in Florida where I fear their days are numbered), numerous sites for wildlife, especially waterfowl, to breed, etc. Many, many similarities, just not in the category of wintertime temperatures!

This blog reminded me of an encounter with a unique bird I had here last June. It was early AM and I was walking back from my garden in back yard to my mobile home. Was walking alongside the 4 ' tall metal fence of my neighbor to the left. Almost immediately noticed a large form walking along in step to my left, just on the other side of the fence. I stopped and looked over, saw the largest bird I had ever seen, ( before or since ), must have been close to 4 ft tall and had a huge, grayish beak drooping down. He also stopped and turned his head to the right, looking right at me.

Now I have lived in South Florida since 1992, and have seen tons of birds of all sizes, but none came close to the size of this guy. Also had never seen this species, - was stumped. Have found out these birds are on the endangered species list, however have met more than a few folks lately who say they've seen them many times, usually in herds !!!

This big guy wasn't afraid of me one bit ! So I continued my walk to my homes back door, again walking close to and parallel with the fence. The " big bird " also starts walking, in step with me it seemed ! I looked over my shoulder at the flock of small Ibises that were fluttering around towards the rear, but no, no way this guy was one of them,..no way !

Finally I am at my homes rear door to my right. I stop again and look left. He stops also and this time, perhaps realizing my walk was at an end, he actually turns his whole body to the right and stares directly at me. This is unreal I am thinking, " this bird acts like he wants to be buddies ! "

Now becoming a bit nervous, I turn slightly to walk up the 3 steps to my door keeping one eye on my new pal and one on the door. The huge Wood Stork ( later found what type bird he was by googling ) actually spreads his huge wings out, gives 'em one strong flap, - WHOOSH - AND HE IS OVER THE FENCE AND TROTTING, NOT WALKING, TOWARDS ME, FULLY INTENDING TO COME INSIDE WITH ME,..maybe hang out for awhile, snack on some sardines or anchovies ?

I finally freaked out, dashed for the door, opened and slammed it shut fast ! I looked back out, he was standing on the 1st step looking sad, eventually strolled off somewhere.

That was it, never saw him or any other Wood Stork ever since. Just love living in South Florida,..the wild birds being one of my favorite treats. Watching the cormorants, ospreys & eagles diving for their food,..strolling with a Wood Stork.

Will try to add a pic above.

My wood stork did that exact same thing! He would follow me all over the yard and try to get inside. The white heron would come up onto the porch stoop, but never tried to go into the house. Storks are unreal! They are just so friendly and unafraid of humans. Maybe that's why people made up the myth of them bringing babies.

I used to buy bait fish to feed to the storks and herons. If you ever feed them bread -- which is bad, but they can tolerate a little -- be sure to wet it first, or they'll choke on it.

I work in suburban Orlando and every year, twice fall and spring) I see a large flock of wood storks, I guess on their way to and from. They hang out in these large damp mushy areas. I am so happy to see them.